Three new leaders for Columbus schools approved by Muscogee County board
The Muscogee County School Board approved superintendent David Lewis’ recommendations Monday night to appoint three new leaders in the district:
- Christy Grigsby as assistant principal at Double Churches Middle School. She succeeds Leslie Hemmings, who was transferred to Midland Academy to fill the assistant principal vacancy left by Eddie Powell’s retirement.
- Jeremy Pownall as assistant principal at Wynnton Arts Academy. He succeeds Jacqueline Mumpower, who last month was promoted to principal of Wynnton to fill the vacancy left by Carolyn Mull’s retirement.
- Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Herbert Sanders Jr. as JROTC army instruction director. He fills the vacancy left by the retirement of retired Lt. Col. Roger Barros.
Here are the backgrounds of the new leaders, according to the resumes attached to the agenda.
Christy Grigsby
Grigsby has worked in MCSD for 13 years, including the past two years as academic dean at East Columbus Magnet Academy. She previously was a literacy coach, regional academic coach and English teacher.
From 1998-2006, Grigsby worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia as a Medicare trainer and quality auditor.
While teaching at the former Early College Academy of Columbus, she was the Georgia Council of Teachers of English Teacher of the Year, the Ledger-Enquirer’s Top Teacher and among the 10 semifinalists for the MCSD Teacher of the Year award in 2013.
Grigsby earned each of her college degrees from Columbus State University: a doctorate in curriculum and leadership this year, a specialist’s degree in educational leadership and a master’s degree in teacher leadership in 2017, and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education English language arts in 2007.
Jeremy Pownall
Pownall has worked in MCSD for nine years, including the past year as academic dean at Fox Elementary School. He previously directed the band and orchestra at Aaron Cohn Middle School and taught music at Hannan Magnet Academy and Johnson Elementary School.
He was Aaron Cohn’s Teacher of the Year in 2018.
Pownall earned both of his college degrees from CSU: a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in music education. He also earned Tier I educational leadership certification from CSU and is on track to earn Tier II specialist’s certification in educational leadership from CSU in December.
Herbert Sanders
Sanders has served as the district’s JROTC army instruction deputy director for the past six years.
After serving as an Army officer from 1990-2012, Sanders was the senior JROTC army instructor at Columbus High School from 2012-15.
Sanders earned a master’s degree in human resources management from Troy University and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Fort Valley State University.
This story was originally published July 21, 2021 at 7:00 AM.
